Moore upsets Musto in 22nd District

Linda Conner Lambeck

Updated 11:59 pm, Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Marilyn Moore is congratulated by Iman Doss and other supporters in Bridgeport after her victory over incumbent state Sen. Anthony Musto in Tuesday's Democratic primary in the 22nd District, Aug. 12, 2014.
Photo: Ned Gerard

He at least in part blamed a woefully low turnout, particularly in Trumbull, his home base, for the defeat.

Moore, a community activist who had the endorsement of the Connecticut Working Families Party, acknowledged that the fight is not over. She still must face Trumbull Town Councilman Rick Costantini, the Republican-endorsed candidate, in the fall election.

"But this was the biggest hurdle," she said. "We are going to take back what belongs to Bridgeport."

Moore once served as legislative aide to former state Sen. Edwin Gomes, of Bridgeport, who was on hand for the celebration. He lost his own seat in the 23rd District two years ago in a three-way race when he was unceremoniously abandoned by the Democratic Party.

"I am so happy for Marilyn. She worked hard for it. I love it," he said.

A retired AT&T executive, Moore is founder of The Witness Project of Connecticut, which works to reduce breast cancer among low-income and black women. Moore also worked on behalf of three unendorsed Democrats who ran successfully for the city school board last fall.